According to Sports Hochi, the Tigers are prepared to wait on Igarashi as long as they feel they have a chance. They have already reached out to his agent and are currently confirming a number of things like basic contract terms. The team is also looking into foreign players but will hold off on them as long as possible -- their top priority continues to be Japanese players returning from the Majors. Source: Sports Hochi 10/31/2012, Sports Hochi Osaka 10/31/2012

Nikkan Sports reports that the Tigers feel they will have a better idea of where they stand on Tsuyoshi Nishioka (expected to sign), Kosuke Fukduome (still uncertain), and Ryota Igarashi (still uncertain) before the end of the year. Source: Nikkan Sports 10/31/2012

According to Sanspo, the Hanshin Tigers could attempt to contact Ryota Igarashi when he returns to Japan in early-November for personal reasons. Igarashi apparently likes Koshien Stadium. Source: Sanspo 10/30/2012

A report by Sponichi notes that the Tigers are beginning to look into foreign pitchers that can also close games because they are uncertain about Igarashi's status. Source: Sponichi 10/30/2012

Sponichi also reports that the Rakuten Eagles and Yakult Swallows are interested in the veteran reliever and that the Eagles may be preparing a multi-year deal worth over 100M yen. Source: Sponichi 10/30/2012

The Tigers are tracking Ryota Igarashi (33) because they feel he might be able to step in as a closer next season. They were prepared to wait on Igarashi because there were reports he was not quite ready to give up on the MLB, but the media learned on Monday that he is considering a return to the NPB next season.

The Hanshin Tigers are reportedly preparing to offer Fukudome a two-year deal worth over 400M yen. That is well above their original offer of 250M yen and more than the 300M yen Yokohama may have offered.

Said an unnamed team official, "We need to give [Fukudome] an offer that is more than what other teams have given him. We are making those kinds of preparations."

The Tigers are still very much interested in Ryota Igarashi, but GM Katsuhiro Nakamura told reporters that he heard the thirty-three-year-old reliever still wants to play in the US and is having a hard time deciding what he should. Source: Sanspo 10/21/2012

Hanshin Tigers' GM Katsuhiro Nakamura told reporters that he plans to meet Kosuke Fukudome some time in early November. He also said that no progress has been made since their first meeting. The Tigers are expected to sweeten their deal with additional bonuses/incentives. If they fail to land Fukudome, they will most likely go after another foreign player. Source: Sanspo 10/20/2012

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The Tigers may sit down with Ryota Igarashi sometime this coming week -- Igarashi's agent is scheduled to arrive in Japan shortly.

Hanshin has already spoken to Igarashi once earlier this month. They are expected to present an official offer during this next meeting.

Other teams, like the Softbank Hawks, may also be interested in the thirty-three-year-old pitcher.

The Hanshin Tigers do not have placed any cut-off periods for their negotiation with Fukudome. However, they are also in a position where they can not move forward on foreign players until Fukudome decides what he wants to do.

Said GM Katsuhiro Nakamura, "There is one foreign player we like, but that is up in the air right now because if we can sign Fukudome, then we need to work out issues with other positions."

Nakamura on their offer to Fukudome: "We are thinking about increasing the incentives/bonuses, but it can be difficult gauging how high the base should be. We will discuss it. With the money holders." Source: Nikkan Sports 10/12/2012

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Yokohama Bay Stars GM Shigeru Takada told reporters on Thursday that he did not think it would become a money game with Fukudome. Source: Sanspo 10/12/2012

Tsuyoshi Nishioka -

The Hanshin Tigers are slated to meet Nishioka for their first round of negotiations after the Nippon Series ends. Source: Sanspo 10/12/2012

Nishioka is currently working out in the US and could return to Japan sometime before the end of the month. Source: Sports Hochi 10/12/2012

Ryota Igarashi -

Hanshin Tigers GM Nakamura on Igarashi: "Things are just getting started. I will be getting in tough with his agent to confirm some things. Whether he wants to return to Japan. There is no doubt he is player we want. If he returns, I am sure others will be interested." Source: Sanspo 10/12/2012

The front office is scheduled to meet again shortly to discuss how far they want to push for Fukudome (35). While the front off does not want to turn this into a money game, they also do not want to see a rival team take him. The coaches and manager also appear to be pushing hard for Fukduome.

The Tigers may have offered Fukudome a two-year deal worth an estimated 250M yen while the Yokohama Bay Stars are rumored to have offered the veteran a two-year deal at 300M yen.

The Tigers could offer Nishioka a two-year deal worth 800M yen (includes signing bonus and incentives). Some MLB sources believe he is prepared to sign with Hanshin if offered a deal. Source: Sanspo 9/30/2012

An unnamed Tigers' source told reporters that if Takashi Toritani remains with the team, Nishioka could always play second or third. Source: Daily Sports 9/30/2012

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The Chunichi Dragons do not appear to have any interest in Nishioka.

Morimichi Takagi: "Dragons are a no."

Team rep Ryohei Sato: "[Nishioka] is not the kind of player we will actively pursue. He will be just one of many players we look into."

According to Sanspo, the Hanshin Tigers are thinking about going with three foreign position players next year and will not pursue Kosuke Fukudome. They are still said to be interested in Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Ryota Igarashi.

The Tigers are currently looking into twenty-nine-year-old outfielder Brandon Moss, in addition to Shelley Duncan (32) and Jeff Clement (29). They also seem open to the idea of having foreign players in right and left.